Portraits of Perfection

See the winning photos from the Your Parks Photo Contest.

GRAND PRIZE / JON RUFFOLO / GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE, COLORADO

This image of a lone hiker perfectly conveys the massive, awe-inspiring scale of the sand dunes. Zooming in to 300MM, Jon Ruffolo snapped an epic composition in a single shot.

FIRST PRIZE / BOB OEHLMAN / POINT ARENA STATE MARINE RESERVE, CALIFORNIA

Point Arena Lighthouse stands strong against the storm brewing on the horizon. The layers in this composition and the image’s rich textures combine to create an emotional and amazing snapshot.

SECOND PRIZE / PETER MANGOLDS / GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING

The bridge’s lines lead hikers (and viewers) into the magical and mysterious lands between the mountains and beyond. It’s a refreshing view of one of the West’s most iconic mountain ranges.

HONORABLE MENTION / CHUCK ROBINSON / GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, ARIZONA

A double rainbow emerges from a storm, revealing the grandeur of the Grand Canyon. Patience prevailed as the photographer waited for the sun to emerge and the rainbows to appear.

HONORABLE MENTION / JESSA JAMES / LAKE HARTWELL TUGALOO STATE PARK, GEORGIA

While towing her childer in an inner tube, Jessa James snapped at the right moment and memorialized a moment of sheer joy and surprise as her daughter fell off the tube and into the water

HONORABLE MENTION / DEBBIE McCULLISS / YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING

Photographing bison in Yellowstone is a wildlife photographer’s dream. These bison, taking shelter from a storm, stand in gorgeous contrast to the winter wonderland surrounding them.

HONORABLE MENTION / ERIN GATFIELD / GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING

Arrowleaf balsamroot and purple larkspur turned this grizzly bear’s portrait into a once-in-a-lifetime shot for Erin Gatfield. Notice the details in the bear’s face and the glimpse of his front paw.

HONORABLE MENTION / D. ARLENE BONNETT / INYO NATIONAL FOREST, CALIFORNIA

The mysterious, galactic beauty of the Milky Way, paired with these ancient bristlecone pine trees, creates a dramatic portrait of this landscape at night.